Sunday I had the opportunity to attend a seminar offered by the Racine Kennel Club. The speaker was Dr. W. Jean Dodds. Though I had heard of her before and had some idea on her work with Dr. Ron Schultz, immunologist at the University of Wisconsin on the Rabies Challenge, I was not as familiar with her work on thyroid and nutrition for the dog. I have been looking for some answers for a couple of my dogs and have learned how important it is to be observant and see the signs that something isn't quite right. One of my Otterhounds has been taking thyroid medication for many years but I had not clearly understood the issues of thyroid disease. Several sources in the Otterhound community had told me that thyroid problems are common in our breed. Others have said they were not so. When I heard the talk from Dr. Jerald Bell given at the 2013 Otterhound National Specialty, I was surprised to learn there were only 69 blood specimens from the Otterhound breed tested for thyroid disease at Michigan State University which I have always considered the go-to place for that test. He said that was not enough samples to be able to determine whether or not this is a concern for our breed.
When the opportunity presented itself, I mentioned that at the seminar. Dr. Dodds said that was true but that at her lab, there are over 200 Otterhound samples for comparison purposes. Somehow I must have missed the memo from the club that said to send thyroid blood samples to her! Not only that, she talked about the importance of considering the breed, age and sex of the dog under consideration when determining whether or not scores are high, low or normal. All this was news to me! To read more for yourself on Dr. Dodds, check out her website: www.hemopet.org.
When the opportunity presented itself, I mentioned that at the seminar. Dr. Dodds said that was true but that at her lab, there are over 200 Otterhound samples for comparison purposes. Somehow I must have missed the memo from the club that said to send thyroid blood samples to her! Not only that, she talked about the importance of considering the breed, age and sex of the dog under consideration when determining whether or not scores are high, low or normal. All this was news to me! To read more for yourself on Dr. Dodds, check out her website: www.hemopet.org.
Dr. Jean Dodds speaking in Racine, WI, April 14, 2013.
The next book for my kindle will be Dr. Dodds' book entitled The Canine Thyroid Epidemic: Answers you need for Your Dog.
Already I have learned that I was dosing my dog incorrectly. The medication, given twice daily should be given either 1 hour before feeding or 3 hours after eating, not with the meals as I have been doing for years! Why didn't I know this? I guess it is more convenient for pet owners to throw the pill in with the food but any combination with soy or calcium renders the medication less effective which I also never knew. I immediately went home and changed my practices. I've already seen a difference in the activity level of my dog. I only wish I knew this before.
Already I have learned that I was dosing my dog incorrectly. The medication, given twice daily should be given either 1 hour before feeding or 3 hours after eating, not with the meals as I have been doing for years! Why didn't I know this? I guess it is more convenient for pet owners to throw the pill in with the food but any combination with soy or calcium renders the medication less effective which I also never knew. I immediately went home and changed my practices. I've already seen a difference in the activity level of my dog. I only wish I knew this before.
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